Machine for processing samples of biological tissues and the like

Abstract

A machine for processing samples of biological tissues or the like, comprising a box-like structure, which delimits a compartment for accommodating trays for containing sample treatment liquid (the trays being arranged in preset positions of the compartment), and racks for supporting at least one sample supporting slide to be inserted in the trays. The machine comprises elements for transfer within the compartment for the trays and the racks, both individually and with the racks inserted in the trays.

1. A machine for processing samples of biological tissues, comprising:
 a box-like structure, which delimits a compartment; 
 trays accommodated in said compartment for containing sample treatment liquid, said trays being provided with engagement abutments and being arranged in preset positions of said compartment so as to be transferrable with vertical, lifting and horizontal, translational motions; 
 supporting racks for at least one sample supporting element to be inserted in said trays; 
 transfer means for transferring within said compartment said trays and said racks, both individually and with said racks inserted in said trays by said vertical, lifting and horizontal, translational motions; and 
 wherein said transfer means comprise; an engagement head, rigidly coupled to a three-axis handling device; first engagement means for reversible engagement with said racks; and second engagement means for reversible engagement with said engagement abutments of said trays, said first and second engagement means being associated with said engagement head and being suitable move said trays and racks, both individually and with said racks inserted in said trays, to perform said vertical, lifting and horizontal, translational motions. 
 
     
     
       2. The machine of  claim 1 , wherein said first reversible engagement means comprise: at least one first pin and at least one second pin, both of which are horizontally parallel and rigidly coupled to said engagement head; and corresponding hook-shaped portions formed on each one of said racks that are rested on said at least one first and second pins. 
     
     
       3. The machine of  claim 2 , wherein said second reversible engagement means comprise: at least one third pin, which is rigidly coupled to said engagement head and is parallel to said at least one first and second pins, with free ends of said at least one third pin and of said at least one first pin being spaced at front parts thereof; and wherein said engagement abutments of said tray are arrangeable so as to rest on said at least one third pin and said at least one second pin, a horizontal translational motion of said engagement head with a rack inserted in a corresponding tray being suitable to move into position said at least one third pin and said at least one second pin on said engagement abutments of said tray, while maintaining engagement on said rack. 
     
     
       4. The machine of  claim 3 , wherein said engagement head is movable along two horizontal directions, said at least one first, second and third pins being mutually aligned and parallel to one of the two horizontal directions of motion of said engagement heat. 
     
     
       5. The machine of  claim 4 , having an inverted L-shaped portion which protrudes from said engagement head, said at least one third pin protruding from a free end of said inverted L-shaped portion. 
     
     
       6. The machine of  claim 4 , wherein said trays are arrangeable in preset positions defined in said compartment in a matrix arrangement, said engagement head being movable vertically and along main directions of said matrix arrangement. 
     
     
       7. The machine of  claim 6 , comprising: guides which are parallel to a main direction of the matrix arrangement of said trays, said three-axis handling device being constituted by a motorized portal, which lies above a region for accommodating said trays, said portal being able to slide on said guides; a motorized slider arranged slidingly on an upper beam of said portal; and translational motion means for vertical translational motion of said engagement head associated with said slider. 
     
     
       8. The machine of  claim 7 , comprising: an electric motor which is arranged at an end of said upper beam of said portal; a shaft which has a rotation-preventing transverse cross-section, said shaft being connected directly to said electric motor; and a movement pinion which is rigidly rotationally coupled on said slider, said pinion being keyed slidingly on said shaft, said vertical translational motion means being constituted by a vertical rack-bar, which is rigidly coupled to said engagement head and meshes with the movement pinion, said slider being provided with an actuation motor also arranged at said end of said upper beam, connected kinematically to said upper beam and with two rotors and with a toothed belt which is closed in a loop and lies between the two rotors, one of which is associated with the motor for actuating the slider, said rotors being arranged at ends of said upper beam, said slider being further fixed to a portion of said toothed belt. 
     
     
       9. The machine of  claim 3 , wherein each one of said racks is constituted by a frame which is provided with two plate-shaped uprights, which are connected by cross-members, forming a cage in which preset positioning abutments are provided for said at least one sample supporting element for supporting the samples to be processed, said corresponding hook-shaped portions protruding upward from said plate-shaped uprights. 
     
     
       10. The machine of  claim 9 , wherein each tray has a rectangular plan shape and is shaped so as to allow the accommodation of a said rack, said engagement abutments being constituted by polygonal through holes, said third pin and an end part of said second pin being shaped complementarily with respect to said engagement abutments. 
     
     
       11. The machine of  claim 10 , comprising covering means that are associated with said trays arranged in said compartment. 
     
     
       12. The machine of  claim 11 , wherein said covering means are constituted by lids, which are pivoted to at least one supporting frame, by opening means for opening and closure that are associated with said lids and are constituted by a plurality of linear cams formed proximate to points about which said lids are pivoted to said supporting frame and being actuatable by way of a translational actuator, said linear cams, once moved, being adapted to cooperate with said lids, for allowing rotation thereof about a pivoting axis thereof. 
     
     
       13. The machine of  claim 12 , comprising a said supporting frame for each column or row of said trays provided in said compartment. 
     
     
       14. The machine of  claim 13 , wherein said linear cams of a said frame are provided so as to all cooperate simultaneously with an actuation arm connected to a translational actuator. 
     
     
       15. The machine of  claim 14 , wherein said linear cams are constituted by a portion of each one of said lids which is eccentric with respect to the pivoting axis thereof and on which an inclined track with inside a pin-shaped slider is provided, which is rigidly coupled at right angles to said actuation arm so as to be parallel to the pivoting axes of said lids. 
     
     
       16. The machine of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one supporting frame delimits said compartment for said trays. 
     
     
       17. The machine of  claim 11 , wherein said box-like structure has a first door, which is arranged centrally and has dimensions which are comparable substantially to a width of said compartment, wherein below said first door, in two mutually opposite lateral positions, a second door for loading said racks and a third door for loading said trays are provided, and wherein respective drawers on which at least one said rack and at least one said tray are to be arranged are associated with said second and third doors. 
     
     
       18. The machine of  claim 17 , further comprising: a programmable electronic unit for controlling the machine, which manages movements of said engagement head according to the set programs; and a display and a keyboard that are associated with said electronic unit. 
     
     
       19. A machine for processing samples of biological tissues, comprising:
 a box-like structure, which delimits a compartment; 
 trays accommodated in said compartment for containing sample treatment liquid, said trays being arranged in preset positions of said compartment; 
 supporting racks for at least one sample supporting element to be inserted in said trays; 
 transfer means for transferring within said compartment said trays and said racks, both individually and with said racks inserted in said trays; 
 wherein said transfer means comprise: an engagement head, rigidly coupled to a three-axis handling device; first engagement means for reversible engagement with said racks; and second engagement means for reversible engagement with said trays, said first and second engagement means being associated with said engagement head; and 
 wherein said first reversible engagement means comprise: at least one first pin and at least one second pin, both of which are horizontally parallel and rigidly coupled to said engagement head; and corresponding hook-shaped portions formed on each one of said racks that are rested on said at least one first and second pins.